Theatre Alberta - Opportunities Knock

Artstrek is a provincial summer theatre school for Albertan teens held each July at Red Deer College’s Arts Centre. The program is heading into its 57th year and is the largest training program of it’s kind in our province. Artstrek offers an integrated theatre arts curriculum for teens that is centered on a single, pre-selected script. An instructional team, led by a Curriculum Director, is contracted annually to instruct in the areas of acting, text analysis, voice, movement, directing, design, and creation. Play selection is based on a three-year cycle of Classic, Musical, and Contemporary Theatre.

The 2017 Artstrek play of study will be Vimy, by award-winning Albertan playwright Vern Thiessen. The play was selected in the Celebration of Canada’s 150th Anniversary, and the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Canada’s most famous military divisions fought together for the first time at Vimy Ridge, and out of that cooperation, our national spirit emerged.

Theatre Alberta endeavors to provide Artstrek programming for all teens, regardless of financial situations. Having a variety of funding options available has never been more important as we continue to see an increase in requests for financial assistance. The two main funding resources for Artstrek applicants are Community Sponsorships and the Theatre Alberta Scholarship Fund; it is essential for both programs to be robust to sustain Artstrek accessibility for all students.

We hope you will join us as a Community Sponsor and/or make a contribution to our Artstrek Scholarship Fund.

Community Sponsorship

As a Community Sponsor, your investment will directly support one or more students by providing full or partial tuition for their attendance at Artstrek 2017. This sponsorship option allows your organization to set the criteria surrounding the eligibility of any applicant.

Sponsorship amounts and guidelines are ultimately set by your organization. Community Sponsorships frequently cover the cost of registration. The Artstrek 2017 tuition costs are:

Exploration I: July 9-14 - $625.00 to $665 +GST

Exploration II: July 16-21 - $625.00 to $665 +GST

Exploration III: July 23-29 - $675.00 to $715 +GST

Community Sponsors will be recognized through Theatre Alberta’s online network and thanked at Artstrek 2017.

Theatre Alberta Artstrek Scholarship Fund

Theatre Alberta has budgeted $15,000 in scholarship funding for Artstrek 2017. These funds are raised through donations from individuals and organizations. Any Albertan teen can apply and scholarships are awarded to those demonstrating financial need. With that said, if you know of any teens who would like to attend and can not receive funding form your organization through a Community Sponsorship, please point them in the direction of Theatre Alberta Artstrek Scholarships.

Details on our 2017 campaign will be announced in the coming month.

Please reply if you would like more information on Community Sponsorships, if you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, or would like more information on Artstrek 2017 programming. I have attached a document containing more information about Artstrek (see pdf at bottom).

Thank you very much for your time and consideration and please feel free to share this information with anyone who you think may be interested in attending Artstrek 2017!